Studying abroad gives students an invaluable opportunity to expand one’s horizons and gain a new perspective on the world while being immersed in an exciting new culture. Students who study abroad develop intercultural communication and problem-solving skills that cannot be acquired at home. Through study abroad, students strengthen their abilities to overcome challenges while living in a new culture and speaking a different language. Students who study abroad have enhanced employment prospects because the value of one’s degree increases because of their experience.
Key competencies gained through study abroad:
- Enhances awareness of cultures and customs
- Foreign language proficiency
- Adaptability
- Ability to identify and achieve goals
- General improvement in communication skills
- Increased confidence and initiative
- Greater flexibility
- Sense of humor
- Awareness of global, economic, and political issues
- Ability to maintain an open mind and be tolerant of others
- Clarification of goals and improved self-awareness
- General travel skills
- Resource management
- Organizational problem solving
- Crisis management
- Patience
- Listening and observation
- Increased independence and self-reliance
- Stronger time-management skills
- Comfort with uncertainty